About

Indigenous Rights Radio uses the power of community radio to inform Indigenous communities of their rights. We envision a world in which Indigenous communities, equipped with knowledge of their rights, are empowered to protect their lands, languages, and cultures.

Cultural Survival’s Indigenous radio producers gather stories from Indigenous Peoples around the world. In English, Spanish, and a growing array of Indigenous languages, we bring the voices of the native peoples of Australia, Asia, Africa, Europe, and the Americas into dynamic dialogue about the meaning of Indigenous Peoples’ rights, their common struggles, and their evolving and innovative solutions to the problems they face today.

1647 radio stations have been sent our programs, across 55 countries, in 35 languages.

María del Rosario Sul González (Kaqchikel Maya) is from the town of Sumpango, Sacatepéquez, Guatemala. She has a degree in Communications from the University of San Carlos in Guatemala City, and worked at her local community radio station Radio Ixchel for five years as an on-air host, human rights promoter, and within the station’s administration. Rosy has travelled to Peru, Panama, Costa Rica, Mexico, and New York to participate in international conferences such as the UN Permanent Forum on Indigenous Peoples Issues, the World Conference on Indigenous Women, and the Indigenous Communications Summit in Oaxaca Mexico, and records interviews with Indigenous leaders participating in these events Contact Rosy at rosy@cs.org.

Shaldon Ferris (KhoiSan) was born in Kliptown, Johannesburg, South Africa. His search to discover his roots has led him on the path to become an award-winning filmmaker. Ferris became involved in radio when he started volunteering at his local community radio station, Eldos FM, eight years ago in Eldorado Park in Johannesburg. Since then, his live show, “Cleaning Up The House,” which airs weekly on Saturday mornings, has won numerous awards. Shaldon joined the Indigenous Rights Radio team as an English language producer in 2016. Contact Shaldon at shaldon.ferris@cs.org

Avexnim Cojti (Maya K'iche') is from Chichicastenango, Guatemala. She is a sociologist with more than ten years of experience in the fields of immigration, community development, Aboriginal Peoples in Canada, and Indigenous rights in Guatemala. Most of her experience is in managing or delivering programs and projects that aim to improve the conditions of vulnerable populations. She has volunteered in community radios in Canada and produces radio programs for Indigenous Rights Radio in English and Spanish. Contact Avexnim at avexnim@cs.org